The goal of my 20% project is to learn about ecosystems and how to recreate them within a classroom. I first want to start with a small project that will allow me to explore the concept with ideas on how to continue the project. Questions to be asking: How can an ecosystem be represented in a classroom? Does it have to include live animals? Will an ecosystem based upon plants, bacteria and fungus be engaging? How can an ecosystem within the classroom be applied to outside the classroom? Is there a possibility to incorporate a service learning project into the theme of ecosystems? What kind of ecosystem to have? Should it be aquatic? Should I be limited to a fish tank or should I explore hybrid environments? Meaning, should the ecosystem contain only aquatic organisms or should it include amphibious organism? Should it be Terrestrial? Should there be live animals in it or should it contain plants, fungi and bacteria? Should the ecosystem exemplify symbiosis? This would mean that the species living within the ecosystem benefit each other. How can I build a sustainable ecosystem, one that does not require human maintenance to survive? At the end of the project, I will learn how to present living ecosystems to a classroom. A successful project would entail a successful ecosystem. A successful ecosystem has little maintenance from humans and can run semi-self sufficiently. A successful ecosystem includes organisms and aspects that contribute to the success of the ecosystem. Meaning, that the ecosystem is beyond decorative but is living and sustainable. The project is designed with some aspects of failure in mind. Ecosystems are a delicate balance and if not catered to exactly could lead to the destruction of the ecosystem and its inhabitants. Since the project is open ended with room for future development, there is play integrated into every aspect. The project will enable not only knowledge but also development of biological creativity. Often the sciences are disregarded when it comes to art and creativity. However, I am a believer that science provides opportunities to integrate art in every aspect. Researching for this project will involve multiple approaches. First there will be knowledge research. I will need to research ecosystems, and possible ways to incorporate them within a classroom. I will need to research habitat types and realistic habitats for the classroom. I will need to research about inhabitants of various habitats and their requirements for life. After learning about ecosystems, ecosystem types and inhabitants I will need to conduct data collection to determine if it is successful or not. This will be in the form of habitat data such as pH of the system, dissolved oxygen, ppm of nutrients, and population counts. A criteria will be identified to determine how to define the success of a particular environment.